GoGo Means Grandmother in Siswati
My favorite part of ministry is getting to spend time with the Gogo’s at our Care Point. The Care points are different educational centers for children aging from babies to elementary school. In total Adventures in Missions has established 40 Care Points. Every week approximately 7,800 children are fed, given vitamins, foundational learning and bible lessons.
The following is our ministry breakdown. Everyday we leave our house around 7:30am to be on time to assist the teachers. Once we arrive to our care point the kids are lining up to begin the morning meeting. At morning meeting we go over our numbers, shapes, colors, months, days of the week, pray, sing songs and so much more!! We stay from 8am until 12pm then from 2pm to 4pm we help the office prepare training manuals for their staff.
Taking a closer look at the 4 hour window; we split our time between the classroom and working side by side with the GoGo’s. GoGo is the Siswati word for grandmother. They build a fire to then prepare the meals that the students eat and take home to their families. Some of the students at the Care Points are their grandchildren. They work on 2 teams of three women in two day shifts and alternate Fridays. The income that these women make often supports at least 7 other people and sometimes while working they have at least one little tag-a-long!
They also bring in money by selling bags, aprons, headbands, yoga bags and other crafts they make by hand. These items are sold under the name Timbali Crafts and can be purchased online at timbalicrafts.org! The sweetest part about spending time with them is getting to see their servants heart; the combination of strength, love and genuine kindness. It reminds me so clearly and constantly of my grandmother, Shirley Hodges. I am grateful to be able to give love back to these women that are constantly pouring out, just like my sweet grandma at home. Also, I am thankful for the comfort of a loving grandma right here in Manzini.
Then, finally getting into the flow of ministry and I realize, this is our last full week!
Reflecting on the month, I would like to end this blog by sharing some of the things I learned through the many volunteers, coordinators, missionaries and local people I have met.
Here are some cultural facts, tips, and my favorite part of Swaziland:
-There are 1.4 million people in Swaziland.
-Culturally the right hand is the clean hand; so only shake hands, pass things and interact using the right hand only.
-The people of Swaziland are friendly and cordgial but are also very private.
-Swaziland has two classes of people: upper and lower. Very few in between, so living in Manzini we meet and work with people from both extremes.
-Swaziland has a King, Mswati III. He is said to be worth over $100 million US dollars.
HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY GRANDMA AND SENDING LOTS OF LOVE <3
THANK YOU FAMILY FOR ALWAYS BEING MY NUMBER ONE SUPPORTERS <3
Thank you soo much for helping my fundraising goal to reach $12,252!!! Just a little under 6k to reach my full funding goal BY MARCH 31st. Please help by sharing and continuing to donate!
